Transition to

 New Generation of Wood Preservatives

Questions and Answers

Over the past decade, the three major manufacturers have developed and refined a number of highly effective, new wood preservatives.  After discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and in light of the growing interest in alternative products, each of the manufacturers has volunteered to make a transition to this new generation of wood preservatives for the consumer and residential market.  To expedite this transition, preservative manufacturers, suppliers and pressure treaters will retool their facilities over the next two years.

The following is provided to help answer the most frequently asked questions related to this transition to the new generation of preserved wood products:

What are these new generation preservatives?

The manufacturers have developed a number of excellent new preservatives that have been developed and in use for more than a decade.  The new generation wood preservatives are marketed under the names ACQ Preserve, NatureWood and Wolmanized Natural Select wood.  The new preservatives use copper-based preservatives, but without arsenic.

Are the new preservatives safe?

The new preservatives have been studied extensively and approved for use by EPA.  Like CCA, they protect and extend the life of wood products for decades.

Are these products available today?

There are very limited supplies of wood products treated with the new preservatives on the market today.  But that will change over the next two years as the industry changes its facilities to apply the new generation preservatives.

Will the new generation preserved wood products cost more?

We are not sure at this point what the price difference will be.  From what we have seen in the marketplace recently, the price difference is approximately 20-30% higher.

Is it OK to build a deck or play set made with CCA-treated wood?

Yes.  EPA looked at the safety of CCA-treated wood as recently as a couple of years ago and reaffirmed its safety when used as recommended.  In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has said that CCA treated wood is an acceptable material for playground structures.

Why use preservatives at all?

Preservatives make – and keep – wood products sturdy, stable and safe.  They prevent decay, insect damage and extend the life of the products from just a few years to decades.

This information was provided to us by Treated Wood Council.